M Pathirana

Matheesha Pathirana IPL career highlights the Chennai Super Kings’ discovery of a high-pace weapon styled after Lasith Malinga. Dubbed “Baby Malinga,” the Sri Lankan quick made an instant impact with his slinging action, pinpoint yorkers and cool death-bowling skills that have already tilted key matches in CSK’s favour. His ability to nail wide yorkers and mix cutters at the death has made him Dhoni’s go-to bowler in crunch overs, a role few young overseas pacers secure so quickly. IPL fans remember his opening spell against Gujarat Titans where he rattled batters with 150 kph thunderbolts, and his final-over heroics against Mumbai Indians that sealed a last-ball thriller. Beyond raw speed, Pathirana shows smart change-ups and fearless execution on Indian decks, making him a breakout fantasy pick every season. With every outing for Chennai Super Kings, Matheesha Pathirana cements his reputation as one of the most exciting IPL pace prospects, ready to dominate the death overs for years to come.

Matheesha Pathirana has become Chennai Super Kings’ go-to death-over assassin in just four IPL seasons, all spent under the yellow banner from 2022 to 2025. The sling-arm quick has claimed 47 wickets from 32 bowling innings, attacking stumps at a rapid strike rate of 14.94 balls per wicket. His 702 deliveries have cost only 1,016 runs, translating to an economy of 8.68 while operating in the high-risk overs. Pathirana’s ability to nail yorkers shows up in his five three-wicket hauls, and his best figures of 4 for in a single spell underline why opposition batters dread the 19th over at Chepauk. Zero runs, zero batting records—that is the story of a bowler who does his talking with the ball, not the bat.

Note: This overview is partially generated using AI and is based on statistical data.